FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)

The mission of the Boy Scouts of America is to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law. The Aims of Scouting are: Character, Citizenship, Personal Fitness, and Leadership

Cub Scouts focuses on realizing the BSA's mission and Aims of Scouting through the provision of programs and services for youth in Kindergarten through 5th grade and their families. In Cub Scouting, Scouts learn and develop new skills and interests; practice teamwork, sportsmanship and good citizenship; and learn to do their best for themselves and for their den, pack, family, and community. To achieve this, Cub Scouts participate in a variety of activities offer opportunities for growth, achievement, and family involvement. These activities may include games, projects, skits, stunts, songs, outdoor activities, trips, and service projects.

In Cub Scouting, you and your family join in on the program with your child. The Den and the Pack rely on parent involvement and participation to run a successful program. As an adult, you will help your Scout along their journey in Scouts. In some cases, you may be asked to complete a specific requirement(s) at home; other times, it may be necessary for you to help your Scout complete requirements that were missed due to absence. As your Scout completes their rank requirements, they will earn adventure loops, pins, or other badges that they wear on their uniform as appropriate for their rank. As your child progresses in Cub Scouting, your role will change with them, from hands-on involvement, to guiding, and coaching. Your child’s success in Cub Scouting depends on you!

In addition to supporting your own Cub Scout(s) along their personal Scouting journey, it is important to consider volunteering for leadership roles. Cub Scouting operates through volunteer leadership, which are most often parent volunteers who have completed the adult leadership process. Volunteering as a leader is an example of Scouting’s principle of service to others. By volunteering in Scouting, you are giving your child and family the gift of your time, as well as role-modeling at the Cub Scouting principles.

Scouting offers the opportunity for regular involvement with weekly meetings during the school year (excluding school holidays). Outside of the weekly meetings, our Pack also has a few select additional required time commitments to help us effectively run our Scouting program. There are also numerous opportunities each year for additional involvement. For more details, see the Time Commitment page.

Scouting offers a great value to the development of each Scout. Costs to participate in Cub Scouts will include Boy Scouts of America (BSA) membership fees, uniform and handbook costs, and local program fees (Pack dues and/or council program fees). As an optional addition, you may also elect to pay for Scout Life magazine subscription. Costs may be offset by unit fundraising where Scouts participate in fundraisers to help earn/pay their own way in Scouts. Scholarship funds may also be available. For current costs, see the Costs to Participate page.

Pack/Pack Meeting - The entire unit of Cub Scouts, led by the Cub Master/Assistant Cub Master or designee, who gather together for a common purpose. Each Pack is identified by a number.

• Pack 529 typically gathers together at the beginning of each weekly meeting to complete the Flag Ceremony, Scout Oath, and Scout Law, as well as to receive key announcements.

  • During Pack Meetings, the Pack will continue to remain together as a large group to celebrate the achievements of each Scout.

  • During Den meetings, the Dens will be dismissed by the Cub Master to meet in their small group Dens.

  • The Pack may also participate together in other special events throughout the year, such as Pinewood Derby, campouts, and the Blue and Gold Banquet.

Den/Den Meeting - A smaller group of Cub Scouts who gather by age group/rank and typically meet weekly. The Den is led by a Den Leader (usually a parent volunteer) and other parent volunteer helpers. During the Den Meetings, the Den Leaders facilitate games, activities, and projects that are related to an adventure and help the Scouts learn the skills they need to progress in rank. 

• Each Cub Scout Unit or Pack is composed of multiple Dens. Dens are small groups of Scouts (and their adult partners) who meet by grade level/rank. There are multiple Dens which make up the Pack. 

• Each Den is led by an adult Den Leader, which is usually parent volunteer who has completed requirements to become an adult leader. The Den Leader facilitates the activities related to adventures as they are presented in the Cub Scout’s handbook and the Den Leader Guide.

• The Cubmaster provides leadership to the Pack and leads the Pack Meetings. The Cubmaster also serves as the master of ceremonies and provides support to Den Leaders.

• The Pack Committee, composed of parents, leaders, and other caring adults, work together to support Pack, cubmaster, and den leaders and to carry out necessary tasks for the Pack.

• The Pack Committee Chair is the top volunteer in the Pack. The person serving in this role is responsible for ensuring enough qualified adult volunteers are in place to provide the program. They lead the Pack Committee Meetings.

• Each Cub Scout Pack has a Chartered Organization. This is the organization that partners with the Boy Scouts of America to deliver a Scouting program. They adopt Scouting to serve the youth in the community.

• This Chartered Organization Representative appoints the Pack Committee Chair and approves all adult leaders within the Pack. They provide resources from the chartered organization.

• The Pack receives local direct and indirect support from its local Council and/or District. Councils typically provide oversight for the Scouting programs, operational support, and Scouting events/programs to a defined geographical area. Councils may then create Districts to help support local Scouting programs in the areas of membership, finance, and programming.

• The Boy Scouts of America is the national organization that develops and supports various youth Scouting programs. The national organization provides charters to communities to operate a council, and it provides service to local councils, develops Scouting programs, and establishes rules and regulations.

Cub Scouting operates through volunteer leaders. A variety of leadership roles are necessary to allow for a successful Scouting program. Adult leaders must complete required training and successfully pass a background check. Trainings are available online through self-paced modules. All adult leaders must complete the Youth Protection Training and submit their certificate to the Cubmaster upon completion. Additionally, Council training and leader/role-specific training is also necessary. See the Become A Leader page for more information and to apply!

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